EU vs. NATO

Many countries are aiming to become EU member states or at least use some EU instruments such as EU Eastern Partnership programme, Euromediterranean cooperation etc. Same time many countries are dreaming about NATO memberships. I would like to get views from group how they prioritise these two paths, how is position in different non-member states - is it both or either EU/NATO. This question is on the table also because NATO is now planning their new strategical concept and EU same time must clarify its aims related to EU's new security structure. (I wrote my view related to NATO concept in blog post NATO 2020: Downsizing Instead of Reshaping). So could EU in near future be also security guarantee for new members/partners or is NATO still needed?

Replies to This Discussion

I can speak about Macedonia - the question about selection EU or NATO was never posed. Macedonia is much closer to NATO membership, because the country has fulfilled all of the membership criteria but was blocked by a veto from Greece. On the road to EU, the country has still a long way to go and a lot of reforms have to be undertaken. But it is always a parallel road - both EU and NATO. Furthermore, the country sees NATO membership as a certain doorstep for getting closer to the European Union, because many of the criteria for membership in both organizations a re the same, especially in the area of political stability and market economy.